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Where to stay in Athens? Best boutique hotels, B&B, stays on a budget

Where to stay in Athens – my experience and then all the other great places which I didn’t manage to try out!

AthensWas

So the first ‘home’ was AthensWas – quite a good one, but some specific things needed in this trip were missing. Let me point out that we are talking about a New Year’s celebration trip.

The hotel is new, so the facilities, room state, bathroom, lobby – all these things won’t make you upset. On the other hand, the Wifi was terrible, actually it just didn’t exist for me, and I had to use my roaming (the reception said the internet works well, as always, so the problem is with our devices – which we had 4, and apparently all rejected their network).

Other things which lacked were:

Tea maker in the room J I can’t fall asleep without a few cups of tea

Or at least 24h room service to order the tea (always a shame to call them at midnight for a cup of tea, but what can I do sometimes)

Iron – for me almatost never needed, but since I wasn’t travelling with Tavsan Surat only, we had some shirts to iron

On the other hand, the balcony was very spacious, and if not in winter, but somewhere springish-automnish I could imagine myself sitting there and drinking my tea enjoying the weather.

Hotel Grande Bretagne

Grande Bretagne is an example of a perfect 5* stay in Athens, although quite expensive. The hall was full of Christmas atmosphere – a huge warmly decorated tree, lots of people around on vintage arm chairs, sofas, or in the Winter Garden Lounge. The staff was very caring and always ready to help, and we even got a welcome present which included a set of pralines and a bottle of Pilavas Tentura liqueur.

Besides the very good looking room with all the possible amenities you can wish for, the hotel had a spa with a swimming pool at the disposal of all guests, a rooftop bar, a fine-dining restaurant, an open-air pool with grill for summertime 🙂

So I loved it, but, we wanted something more ‘grande’ for the NYE! Oh, how mistaken were we…

King George Hotel

It was exactly next doors to Hotel Grande Bretagne, and actually both belong to the Luxury Collection Hotel Group. In this hotel for the most important night of the year we had a Deluxe Suite which was a grande disappointment!

First of all, the hotel feels very empty, and much older than the next doors GB. The room is very strangely constructed with a living room having some small windows, and the bedroom having no daylight source at all. The walls between the rooms are huge and overwhelming, so in a very large suite you feel lack of light, space and air. And actually everything looks very run down (including their gym downstairs)

So I wouldn’t recommend King George, especially taking into account that the price is not more attractive than Grande Bretagne.

Best hotels in Athens

Hotels with rooftop terraces in Athens (see their description below along the page):

Hermes Hotel – boutique and on a budget, Hermes hotel is a perfect spot for a city break in Athens. The location is just the best (it’s in Plaka), the interior is stylish and the hotel is perfectly clean. Most importantly, it offers full day complimentary tea/coffee in the lobby (which makes it the best match for me!) Prices start at around 50 EUR/night

Hotel Katerina – free parking, Wi-Fi, 24h room service, cleanliness and quite good location if you are an active adult, not minding a 20 min walk to Acropolis. The price is around 50 EUR/double room

Hotel Areos – centrally located stylish hotel, from single to triple rooms, and luxurious suites. All day room service, an open rooftop terrace, and the rooms themselves are very well designed, going for only 49 EUR/low season

Best Boutique Hotels in Athens:

The Y Hotel – a great place for those who appreciate quiet after a day in a buzzling city like Athens. The Y Hotel is located outside of the city, in Kifissia, it’s a 30 min car ride or an hour by metro, but the green and peaceful surroundings are worth it. You can choose a room from standard to deluxe, or go for a penthouse or suite. Prices start at approx. 100 EUR/low season. The hotel offers 24/7 gym and allows pets at prior notice and no charge.

Alice Inn Athens – the best hotel in Athens for vintage and fairy tale seekers! An exceptional boutique accommodation with 4 suites only. Each suite with its own story and design to check out and get excited, but their common points are perfect location in Plaka, although on a quiet street, coffee/tea makers in each room, wifi, kitchen for common use and a continental breakfast served every morning. Besides that Alice offers a separate whole house with 5 bedrooms and a roof terrace for rent. Rates for the suites start at 40 EUR/night. The accommodation doesn’t accept children.

Semiramis Hotel – part of Design Hotels Group, Semiramis opens a unique contemporary experience in front of you. The look is inspired by lollypop colours, it has many modern toys grown up kids, just like the digital ‘do not disturb’ sign which you can personalize yourself. I actually feel sorry for not trying it out when in Athens. Keep in mind, it’s also an SPG hotel, don’t forget to use your benefits, in case you are part of this loyalty program. From 125 EUR/night

360 Degrees Hotel – modern hotel with a retro touch in design, standard rooms or suites. The 360 Degrees brand also owns a rooftop bar and restaurant – 360 Degrees Bar – and knowing the quality and atmosphere of the bar, I would expect the same high standards from their hotel. The suites come with furnished patios all in retro style. Rates from 90 EUR in low season.

Lozenge Hotel – located on the Lycabettus hill, which means it’s away of crowds but still has a pleasant walking distance from main spots, and is considered central. Rooms are at approx. 110 EUR/double room with balcony

A for Athens – the hotel is famous for it’s rooftop restaurant & bar which overlooks the Acropolis and is just above the Monastiraki square. Rooms start at 100 EUR/deluxe double room and 200 EUR/suites

18 Micon Street Hotel – stylish hotel, centrally located, a luxury on a budget starting from 75 EUR/night! Its urbanistic design perfectly matches the smart concept and as an extra pleasure – all the furnishing is locally made. They have various types of rooms & suites (you can choose whether your walls will be cement, wood or brick:)), parking, laundry, espresso making facilities etc.

Where to stay on Athens Riviera:

Brasil Suites – 14 luxurious suites located in Glyfada, on the Attica Riviera, next to the sandy beaches and the famous Glyfada Gold Club. Room types are Junior & Senior Suite, Family Suite and Superior Suite. Each room comes with a balcony, when the Superior Suite is located on the top floor each with private sundeck areas, and the largest one comes with a 40 sq.m sundeck. Tours, golf & tennis lessons can be pre-booked as well. Rates at low season start at 140 EUR/night

The Margi – 5 star hotel located on the Attica Riviera near the Vouliagmeni Lake and famous Glyfada Golf Club. Besides that it’s surrounded by a pine forest and has an indoor & outdoor pool. Starting at 140 EUR/night

Athens Plaza – the third hotel facing Syntagma square along with Grande Bretagne and King George. They offer Classic, Superior and Deluxe rooms, and have a lot of conference facilities. I would suggest Athens Plaza as a perfect business hotel in Athens downtown.

MET34 Hotel Athens – a very special place in Athens, you actually won’t notice it, unless you really look for modern luxury. You won’t find here chandeliers and vintage furnishing, instead you’ll get the best of a smart and expensive place in Athens. Marble floors, king size beds, living rooms & kitchens all within your room or suite. It’s an ideal hotel for demanding business travelers, or families looking for a commodity of their home within a high class hotel. Double stays will cost from around 230 EUR/night

Athens Marathon Route Hotels

Most of the hotels located in Athens are part of Athens Marathon Route, so there is no hotel dedicated to this yearly held competition. Actually the marathon starts at the Panathenaic stadium, crosses Athens to the east-south and goes on to Marathon town.

So there are no real Marathon Route Hotels and don’t get hooked for it at a ‘small extra cost’!

Check out the Athens Marathon Route Map and decide whether you want to stay in Athens downtown or closer to Marathon itself.